Charleston dog beach rules (2026)

Each beach town sets its own dog rules, and they flip with the season. Here’s what the codes say, checked against official sources on 2026-10-15.

Short version

Want legal off-leash beach time? Sullivan’s Island (mornings, with a Town dog permit) or Isle of Palms (early mornings in summer; late afternoon through morning in the off-season). Folly Beach does not allow off-leash for the general public.
Summer midday (May–Sept, 10am–6pm): no dogs on Folly or Sullivan’s. IOP allows leashed dogs all day.
Visiting Sullivan’s? Every dog needs a Town permit, including day-trippers.

Beach	Summer	Rest of year
Folly Beach	May 1–Sep 30: no dogs 10am–6pm; leashed otherwise	Leashed at all times (off-leash only for registered FIDO members)
Sullivan's Island	May 1–Sep 30: off-leash 5–10am · no dogs 10am–6pm · leashed 6pm–5am	Oct 1–Apr 30: off-leash 5am–noon · leashed noon–5am
Isle of Palms (city beach)	Apr 1–Sep 14: off-leash 5–9am; leashed otherwise	Sep 15–Mar 31: off-leash 4pm–10am; leashed otherwise

May 1 – Sept 30: no dogs on the public beach 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
All other times: leashed. General public may not go off leash.
Exception: registered FIDO club members with special tags may let dogs off leash sunrise–sunset Oct 1–Apr 30, and 7–9 a.m. in May and September.
No dogs on the pier (per the Folly Beach visitor site; still confirming in code). Pick up waste. Minimum fine $25.

Permit required year-round for every dog, including visitors and day-trippers. Get it at Town Hall with a rabies certificate. Permits are valid for the calendar year. Fee: still confirming.
May 1 – Sept 30: off-leash 5–10 a.m.; no dogs 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; leashed 6 p.m.–5 a.m.
Oct 1 – Apr 30: off-leash 5 a.m.–noon; leashed noon–5 a.m.
Off-leash doesn't apply on beach paths or access points. Always carry a leash (10 ft max). No dogs in the dunes or near turtle nests.

Dogs are allowed on the city beach year-round.
Off-leash: 5–9 a.m. from Apr 1 to Sept 14; 4 p.m.–10 a.m. from Sept 15 to Mar 31. Keep a leash in hand and the dog under voice command.
At all other times, leashed, even in the water.
All dogs need a rabies vaccination and a metal rabies tag; carry the certificate. Free city permits are encouraged for residents.
Inside Isle of Palms County Park: leashed at all times.

Leashed at all times inside the county park. Town of Kiawah rules outside the park: still confirming.

Rules change. Check posted signs and the official source before you go. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-15.